I've never really liked Power metal, the vocals always used to bother me. Recently I've been able to get over that a bit, but it still bugs. However, I just finished listening to a song from Evig Natt (not recommended unless you're interested in something like a more metal Nightwish/Evanescence), which featured a small section female vocals reminiscent of Power metal. So this brings me to my request; Power metal with a powerful female singer (Nightwish, Evanescence, and the greater part of Evig Natt are a good example of what I consider weak vocals. I want the ballsy stuff, but you know, coming from a woman). I'd prefer if the music was on the Fantasy-ish side of Power metal, rather than that strange macho side. It would also be great if you could give a mini-breakdown of the genre classifications of your rec's, since I'm not at all familiar with this branch of metal.

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I know you don't like Nightwish, but try After Forever's self titled album, a lot of the tracks are more straight forward power metal than symphonic, unlike their older material, and Floor Jansen has an amazing voice whether she's singing in a more straight forward metal style (which I assume is the style you want to hear), or her operatic style. I knew she was good, but when I saw her two weeks ago with Nightwish she absolutely blew me away.

I'd say the best recs I can give in this respect are early Dark Moor and Benedictum. The first is a rock solid Europower outfit, while the second is more of a modern heavy/power metal band with quite a few other influences thrown in. There's also Crystal Viper's The Curse of Crystal Viper, but it has more to do with NWOBHM than anything else (though it is rather awesome).

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Ancient Bards - Symphonic power metal. Basically the female-fronted version of Rhapsody, only far more awesome.Dawn of Destiny - They're solid Euro-power metal, but their Rebellion in Heaven album is top-notch, God-tier, Grade-A, guaran-fuckin'-teed some of the best shit you'll ever hear.Diabulus in Musica - Symphonic power metal. Similar to Ancient Bards, but a bit more melancholy.Edenbridge - Symphonic power metal. Huge, thick, heavy, and always fantastic.Magica - Euro-power metal with some symphonics. Pretty good B-grade power metal with the occasional piece of genius.Beautiful Sin - Straight-up power metal. Really punchy stuff.Triosphere - Straight-up power metal. Very similar to Beautiful Sin.

Ancient Bards - Symphonic power metal. Basically the female-fronted version of Rhapsody, only far more awesome.Dawn of Destiny - They're solid Euro-power metal, but their Rebellion in Heaven album is top-notch, God-tier, Grade-A, guaran-fuckin'-teed some of the best shit you'll ever hear.Diabulus in Musica - Symphonic power metal. Similar to Ancient Bards, but a bit more melancholy.Edenbridge - Symphonic power metal. Huge, thick, heavy, and always fantastic.Magica - Euro-power metal with some symphonics. Pretty good B-grade power metal with the occasional piece of genius.Beautiful Sin - Straight-up power metal. Really punchy stuff.Triosphere - Straight-up power metal. Very similar to Beautiful Sin.

Ancient Bards, listened to em, amazing music but I'm really not convinced by the vocalist.

Like OP I can't stand Power Metal-vocals (male and female!) and have tried most bands - including Nightwish, everything with Floor Jansen etc - but can't appreciate it at all...

EXCEPT for Ancient Bards and Edenbridge - reason being that both vocalists (Squadrani, Edelsbacher) sound awesome to me. Most if not all female vocalists don't cut it for me, with those two being the exceptions. Out of those two bands, Ancient Bards "win" since Sara Squadrani's voice packs more of a punch than Sabine.

But Sabine is underrated as hell. I'm stoked for the upcoming Edenbridge album (The Bonding) coming this June!

Well if you are ok with power metal of the traditional variety then you may fancy the excellent speed metal band, Messiah Force. Released one album in 1987 and it is really good.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t0O73qIhvU